General Karl N. Haushofer and Geopolitik

Authors

David P. Benorden, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

First Advisor

Brian Blouet

Date of this Version

7-1983

Document Type

Thesis

Citation

A thesis presented to the faculty of the Graduate College in the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Master of Arts

Major: Geography

Under the supervision of Professor Brian Blouet

Lincoln, Nebraska, July 1983

Comments

Copyright 1983, David P. Benorden. Used by permission

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to trace the mainstream of German and related geopolitical philosophy and the various aspects that influenced the philosophy from 1800 to 1945. Two themes evolved: Political Geography and Nationalism. Along with economic considerations, these themes were fused into Geopolitik by Karl Haushofer and his followers in Germany following the end of World War I.

The goal of this work is to trace Geopolitik to discover the significance of its implications, what was behind it, and what were its real objectives. Geopolitik is a German-developed "science'' based on doctrines and practices with its origins in the contemporary heritage and events of expansionist-natured Germany of the Nineteenth Century. Geopolitik was designed to make Germany a first-class power and to provide some degree of autarky or self-sufficiency. This autarky would be accomplished by the redistribution of space and natural resources of the world.

This study is divided into time periods. The first period, 1800 to 1918, discusses the development of geopolitical thinking in Germany, other areas of Europe, and the United States, and also analyzes the growth of German Nationalism and economics from 1870 to 1918. The study of the second 0 time period, 1918 to 1945, focusses on the writings of Karl Haushofer concerning Geopolitik's development. The purpose of researching the initial period is to see what influences shaped this new political geography. This will provide a background for the main body of the study, the development of Geopolitik under Haushofer.

The objective of this research is to put Karl Haushofer into the perspective of his time. What were Haushofer's objectives in developing Geopolitik? Was Haushofer a crusader for German Nationalism, using his party connections and his geographic training to promote his views? To answer these questions, there will be a close examination of Haushofer's writings. The Haushofer connection with Zeitschrift für Geopolitik enables one to see the phases of development of Geopolitik, as well as changes in the publications. The development of Zeitschrift can be divided into three stages: 1) the founders, closely connected to political geography, 2) the association, 1931–1935, promoting their views and the development of theory for Geopolitik by the party, and 3) open propaganda, 1936–1941, the voice of the Nazi Party. The main purpose of this study is to concentrate on the period of 1919 through 1945 and to answer the questions: What is Geopolitik, where did it originate, and what was the purpose of Geopolitik?